MACOMB, Ill. - The many festivities of homecoming weekend took over Western Illinois' campus on Saturday (Oct. 2), as the Leathernecks' football squad (1-4, 1-1) hosted in-state foe Southern Illinois (4-1, 2-0). Being a familiar story, WIU displayed its 'never quit' effort to climb back from a deficit admirably. In addition, the team's extended play past the fourth quarter for the first time this fall. Nonetheless, the visiting Salukis needed just enough to escape with a 31-30 victory.

"We battled our tails off to get back in a game against the seventh-ranked team in the country and played to win," said WIU head coach Jared Elliott. "Our kids always play like that. They always have belief in each other in what we can do."

After a 49-minute weather delay, both teams were back on the field for an SIU kickoff. After Western threw an interception early in the first, Southern Illinois took over at the WIU28 and completed a 32-yard receiving touchdown on a three-play drive. A quarterback rush boosted the Salukis' lead to 14-0 with just under four minutes in the quarter.

Three minutes into the second period, SIU used a short run to go ahead 21-0. Dennis Houston helped the Leathernecks pick up some receiving yards before the team started to settle into a groove. Mason Laramie first booted home a 50-yard field goal, and Jalen Powe immediately made a pick-six at the SIU29 to cut down SIU's lead, 21-10. Hard-nosed defense from both teams finished out the half's duration.

A defensive tempo continued into the third quarter. Myles Wanza gave Western some beneficial rushing yards, but the Leathernecks' second giveaway of the day happened on a drive into Saluki territory. A 37-yard field goal from SIU soon put the team up, 24-10.

Wide receiver Tony Tate continued his untouchable passing game once the fourth quarter unfolded. The senior put Western in great range with a 33-yard toss to Michael McFarlane, and Dallas Daniels completed the deed with a 27-yard touchdown reception. After a couple of major defensive stops, WIU evened things at 24-24 on a Ludovick Choquette 12-yard catch from Connor Sampson. Blows continued to be traded on possessions, and SIU tried a 45-yard field goal with three seconds remaining but missed wide left as the game headed into overtime.

On its first play of the extra period, SIU scored a 25-yard throw. WIU had an immediate answer, with Wanza rushing 25 yards of his own into the end zone. Deciding to go for a two-point conversion, the Leatherneck offense was stopped on a tackle at the SIU03 to finish out the night.

"A lot of guys in the locker room are taking this one to heart," said Sampson. "We just have to play complementary football at all times throughout four quarters, and the sky will be the limit for this team."

WIU is on the road again next week, visiting Indiana State for a Saturday noon tilt (Oct. 9).
 

Notes

• Mason Laramie is the first Leatherneck to kick a 50-yard field goal since he did it himself this past spring season at Illinois State (March 20, 2021).

• Jalen Powe grabbed his first interception of the season and is one of two Leathernecks to return a pick for a touchdown this year (Mike Lawson being the other).

• Saturday was the first time the WIU team defense recorded five or more sacks since playing at South Dakota in 2018.

• Five different Leathernecks scored for Western.

• Greg Benton Jr.'s nine tackles were a personal season-high.

• Michael Lawson has plugged in double-digit tackles in three of WIU's five season showings.